The James Norris Memorial Trophy is an annual award given to the defenseman who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position.

The winner is selected in a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association at the end of the regular season. The trophy was presented in 1953 by the four children of the late James Norris in memory of the former owner-president of the Detroit Red Wings.

The trophy is named in honour of James E. Norris, owner of the Detroit Red Wings from 1932 to 1952. The trophy was first awarded at the conclusion of the 1953–54 NHL season.

Bobby Orr of the Boston Bruins won the award for a record eight consecutive seasons (1968–75).

Doug Harvey and Nicklas Lidstrom won it seven times in their careers and Ray Bourque won it five times during his career; between them, those four players have won nearly half the Norris Trophies awarded to date. The Boston Bruins have won the most Norris Trophies with 14. The Montreal Canadiens are second with 12.

The voting is conducted at the end of the regular season, and each individual voter ranks their top five candidates on a 10–7–5–3–1 points system. Three finalists are named and the trophy is awarded at the NHL awards ceremony after the conclusion of the playoffs.

PAST RECIPIENTS

Year

Player

Team

2016

DREW DOUGHTY

LOS ANGELES KINGS

2015

erik karlsson

ottawa senators

2014

DUNCAN KEITH

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

2013

p.k. subban

montreal canadiens

2012

erik karlsson

ottawa senators

2011

Nicklas Lidstrom

Detroit Red Wings

2010

Duncan Keith

Chicago Blackhawks

2009

Zdeno Chara

Boston Bruins

2008

Nicklas Lidstrom

Detroit Red Wings

2007

Nicklas Lidstrom

Detroit Red Wings

2006

Nicklas Lidstrom

Detroit Red Wings

2004

Scott Niedermayer

New Jersey Devils

2003

Nicklas Lidstrom

Detroit Red Wings

2002

Nicklas Lidstrom

Detroit Red Wings

2001

Nicklas Lidstrom

Detroit Red Wings

2000

Chris Pronger

St. Louis Blues

1999

Al MacInnis

St. Louis Blues

1998

Rob Blake

Los Angeles Kings

1997

Brian Leetch

New York Rangers

1996

Chris Chelios

Chicago Blackhawks

1995

Paul Coffey

Detroit Red Wings

1994

Ray Bourque

Boston Bruins

1993

Chris Chelios

Chicago Blackhawks

1992

Brian Leetch

New York Rangers

1991

Ray Bourque

Boston Bruins

1990

Ray Bourque

Boston Bruins

1989

Chris Chelios

Montreal Canadiens

1988

Ray Bourque

Boston Bruins

1987

Ray Bourque

Boston Bruins

1986

Paul Coffey

Edmonton Oilers

1985

Paul Coffey

Edmonton Oilers

1984

Rod Langway

Washington Capitals

1983

Rod Langway

Washington Capitals

1982

Doug Wilson

Chicago Blackhawks

1981

Randy Carlyle

Pittsburgh Penguins

1980

Larry Robinson

Montreal Canadiens

1979

Denis Potvin

New York Islanders

1978

Denis Potvin

New York Islanders

1977

Larry Robinson

Montreal Canadiens

1976

Denis Potvin

New York Islanders

1975

Bobby Orr

Boston Bruins

1974

Bobby Orr

Boston Bruins

1973

Bobby Orr

Boston Bruins

1972

Bobby Orr

Boston Bruins

1971

Bobby Orr

Boston Bruins

1970

Bobby Orr

Boston Bruins

1969

Bobby Orr

Boston Bruins

1968

Bobby Orr

Boston Bruins

1967

Harry Howell

New York Rangers

1966

Jacques Laperriere

Montreal Canadiens

1965

Pierre Pilote

Chicago Blackhawks

1964

Pierre Pilote

Chicago Blackhawks

1963

Pierre Pilote

Chicago Blackhawks

1962

Doug Harvey

New York Rangers

1961

Doug Harvey

Montreal Canadiens

1960

Doug Harvey

Montreal Canadiens

1959

Tom Johnson

Montreal Canadiens

1958

Doug Harvey

Montreal Canadiens

1957

Doug Harvey

Montreal Canadiens

1956

Doug Harvey

Montreal Canadiens

1955

Doug Harvey

Montreal Canadiens

1954

Red Kelly

Detroit Red Wings

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